I've always been a fan of California Exotics products, so when I went shopping for anal toys for a male partner of mine who hasn't had a whole lot of experience, I picked this little toy up without a second thought. The Anal 101 "Intro" beads seem to be the perfect thing for someone trying to expand their horizons... no pun intended.

Basic Toy Information:
- Material: Jelly (Material Info)
- Length: 9 3/4" Total, 8" Insertable
- Max Diameter: 1"

I brought home a blue set and presented them to him with glee. He was just as gleeful to receive them. I explained that because they are made of jelly that they would be reserved for him alone. (You cannot sterilize jelly toys like you can silicone, see this page for information on jelly materials.) Neither of us were impressed with the packaging, though. As we opened it, we realized that the plastic container wasn't sealed and could easily be opened and tampered with.

I'm not sure I like the idea of someone man-handling a toy that can't be sterilized before I take it home, so to proceed, I cleaned the toy with warm water and a mild soap. While washing it, I noticed that the jelly itself was not that sturdy and the ring at the end felt as though it might rip off. Definitely not good for rough play. I was determined to give the beads a try anyway, though, so we did with the understanding that we might need to be more gentle than normal.

The beads were not easy to insert because the jelly was just a bit too soft and lube made the smooth surface too slick for any sort of traction. The number of the beads and the gradual increase of their diameter ended up being quite nice for him, however, and he had no trouble taking the entire toy with very little warm-up. The beads had no scent, which is a definite plus, and even though the jelly had remained in the "U" shape from its packaging, it was able to straight out enough to play with. The ring ended up being nearly useless due to being too soft (no grip, no maneuverability).

He did enjoy foreplay and sex with the beads inserted, and they didn't seem to slip around too much. That part of the attempt was definitely a success. The next part was problematic. When we began to remove the toy after sex, the flimsy handle nearly tore at the base. Thankfully, it stayed together and rather than being a problem with the material, it could very well be that I was simply too rough on the toy - it IS for beginners, after all. I'll be replacing the set before I try again, just to be safe.

I would definitely say that if you are a little more heavy-handed during sex or masturbation, then this is not the toy for you. It is great in terms of size and function for beginners, though, and might be worth a try if you're timid about sticking things up your butt.